REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: LIFE OF THE PARTY by KRIS FLETCHER

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Life of the Party
Calypso Falls #1

By: Kris Fletcher

Releasing January 17, 2017
Berkley Intermix

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In Life of the Party (Calypso Falls #1) by Kris Fletcher, now that she's single, working in her sister's coffee shop and living back in Calypso Falls, Jenna Elias wants more out of life. But she knows she's not going to get the fresh start she wants, not with her last name being Elias. Her father's political scandal caused enough trouble in her past, but she's not going to let it rob her of her future. But when Cole Dekker strolls into the coffee shop, there's an instant connection between them. Helping him with his campaign to run for mayor seems like a good idea, but the closer they get, the bigger the trouble brewing. Will they let the past wreck their chance at forever after, or will they fight to prove that Jenna is nothing like her corrupt father?

 

When I read the blurb for this book, it captured my attention immediately and I couldn't wait to read this story, even though I've never read anything by Ms. Fletcher before. From start to finish, this story was riveting, fast-paced and a book I couldn't get enough of due to the main characters, especially Jenna. She's been through so much lately in her life with her accident and then what her husband did, so I was surprised that her outlook on life was still to reach big. She's definitely a fighter, determined to go after what she wants whether in her personal or professional life and all I can say is Cole doesn't stand a chance when she eventually makes up her mind on something she wants.

 

The dialogue was well-written and intense due to the main characters back stories, especially that of the heroine. Her dad being back in her life isn't easy. Will she give him a chance? What will the heroine do to protect Cole from her past? The decisions she has to make throughout this story are also not easy. Can she and Cole achieve happy ever after when there's so much at stake? His political career and her wanting to leave town are completely opposite goals, which made me sympathize at those moments when it seemed they're being together wasn't going to be possible. Because Jenna is always going to be reminded that she's the daughter of a corrupt ex-politician, even though she's never done anything wrong herself.

 

Jenna made this story a worthwhile read, especially the way she handled everything thrown at her. She mixed well with Cole's friends, so much so that the secondary characters entertained me almost as much as the main did. Jenna had a way of winning people over, and really proved how good she is when it comes to public relations; a career she was made for. While Cole, I really liked him. He's smart, confident and I liked getting to know more about his past and his reason for moving back to Calypso Falls. It wasn't surprising that his past led to him pursuing a career in politics. Moreover, he's so open and honest and I liked how far he was willing to go to fight for his and Jenna's happiness. Because they both deserved it, especially after a relationship they've each had in the past left them a tad wary of getting close to someone of the opposite sex again. Still, in saying that, their strong chemistry spills over onto the pages nicely.

 

Overall, this was a fun, delightful and engaging read that encompassed wonderful banter that left me wanting more from the two main characters as well as the secondary ones. The way this story ended was endearing, as Cole had some major groveling to do and what he did to win Jenna back had me smiling through a shine of tears because I was happy for the pair. What a speech he made! However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up perfectly, as I discovered whether Cole won the mayor position. I would recommend Life of the Party by Kris Fletcher, if you enjoy the forbidden romance trope, or are looking for a book where the hero is pursing a career in politics.

 

OVERALL RATING:

 

 

BLURB:
In this all-new contemporary romance series, the five Elias sisters of Calypso Falls, New York, discover that love sometimes arrives in surprising ways...

Jenna Elias was always the life of the party, coasting on her charm and beauty, hiding the shame of the scandal surrounding her absentee father, a corrupt politician. But the party ended all too soon with an injury that left her partially paralyzed and a husband who simply left her. Now, at age thirty, she’s back in Calypso Falls. She leads a simple existence working in her sister’s coffee shop, but Jenna misses the joy she once had in her life. Then Cole Dekker walks into the coffee shop.

As idealistic as he is sexy, the local lawyer is running for mayor of Calypso Falls. Drawn to Jenna’s quick wit and radiance, he asks her to volunteer for his campaign. As the two start working together, there’s no denying the powerful attraction they feel for each other. A desktop makeout session leads to much more. But when Jenna’s dad returns to Calypso Falls and wants to be a part of her life again, the association could spell political suicide for Cole—and the end of a once-in-a-lifetime chance at true love.

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Jenna couldn’t quite stop staring at him.

Her rational brain ticked through the points—attractive guy, my age, waiting politely—while something within her urged her to look harder. Deeper. Before she missed something vital.   

                                                                                                                                

Then he raised his eyebrows and tipped his head, and she caught it. The flash of humor. The air of expectancy. The feeling that, in this moment, she was the only thing that mattered to him.

“Could I get a coffee, please?”

Hello, reality, you cruel bitch.

“Um . . . sure. Sorry. I’ll be right with you.”

Okay. So his desperate focus had been not on her, but the caffeine she represented. Nothing wrong with that. Better, even, than the possibilities being offered up by her imagination.
She returned to the register and focused on the order she needed to modify. It would be a lot easier if she wasn’t certain that he was following her every move, watching her hands glide across the keyboard like they held Harry Potter’s wand. Or maybe he was the one with the magic. It certainly took all of her resolve to stay on task when she had this sense that she was being compelled to turn back to him.

Lucky for her, learning to walk again had taught her a few things about determination.

At last the receipt was modified. She braced herself and returned to Mr. Compelling with the practiced smile she kept in her pocket for any situation requiring tact and/or faking.

“Sorry for the delay. One coffee, right?”

“Right. Milk, no sugar.”

“Let me deliver these and I’ll get right on that.”

She reached for the tray, but he placed a hand across it.

“Hang on,” he said.

Well, hell. There was nothing like watching a guy turn into an entitled, demanding jerk to crash through the Hormone Net.

“I’ll be right back.” She said it firmly, resisting the urge to explain playground rules about taking turns to him.

“That’s going to the table in the corner, right? The loud group?” At her nod, he added, “I’m with them. Add my coffee to the bill, let me pay up, and I’ll do the delivery myself.”

Her first thought was that Aunt Margie had got things seriously wrong when she said that all men were shortsighted asses who couldn’t see beyond the ends of their peckers.

Her second was that he’d caught her limping and felt sorry for her.

She straightened her shoulders, her backbone, her hips. “Thanks, but I can manage.”

“Sure you can. But I’m heading that way anyway.”

“That’s very kind of you, but I’ve kept them waiting long enough.”

“Yeah, well, I kept them waiting longer. If I come bearing gifts, they might be more forgiving.” The grin flashed again. “In fact, why don’t you toss a few of those muffins on the tray, too. I have a lot of groveling ahead. It might go better if I feed the beasts before I throw myself on their mercy.”

How was a girl supposed to resist that?

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Kris Fletcher writes about small towns, big families, and the love that grows despite them. She has a thing for underdogs, which probably explains her lifelong devotion to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kris shares her central New York home - fondly known as Casa Kitty – with her husband, kids, two cats, and a large population of wild killer dust bunnies. You can learn more about Kris, her books, and the view from her balcony at www.krisfletcher.com. 

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